We’re PREGNANT! Celebrating Our Valentine – Baby G #1!

As I start to write this, I’m breathing out a huge sigh of relief because I can finally stop keeping secrets from you guys!! You may have seen our video on instagram today (which I also added to this post below), but Cole and I are PREGNANT with our first baby, and we are just absolutely over the moon excited!! And also incredibly terrified/nervous…you know, all of the mixed up emotions that come with the idea of bringing a little human into the world combined with those wonderful pregnancy hormones which I’ve become accustom to over the last several weeks. Ahhh – I feel like I have so much to catch you all up on!! In this post, I’m going to talk about our journey to baby Green #1 so far, including how we found out, how far along we are, our due date, and all the basic stuff. Pregnancy has been a wild ride so far, and since I had to wait to share the news, I did decided to keep a little weekly journal of all the things I was feeling, craving, thinking, Googling, etc., so I could come back and share them here on the blog. I’ll be following up this Friday with a bumpdate on my first trimester experience, and there will be lots more to come (apologies upfront for the influx of pregnancy and baby posts to come, y’all – this is just probably the most exciting and terrifying time of our lives!) – so stay tuned!

To celebrate our exciting news, we teamed up with one of our favorite brands, Jon Hart Design, to create a little reveal video AND to give one lucky winner a Jon Hart backpack in the color and customization of their choice. Click on the read more button below to see our video, enter the contest AND to get the full scoop on baby G#1 (or what we know so far!)

I’ve been counting down the days until I could announce our pregnancy on the blog because from the second the news was confirmed, I found myself constantly Googling EVERYTHING (actually, as soon as we started “not-not trying”, my Googling habits became a problem). I quickly discovered that the best information and advice came from bloggers and real women who shared their own personal pregnancy journeys, so I’m hoping to share every bit of my own, and if any of that gives just one mama-to-be some peace of mind or clarity, then all of this mama-to-be-blogging was worth the while. 😉

Our “Let’s Start a Family” Decision

…or as I liked to call it at the time, making the “not not-trying” decision. Cole and I have always known that we wanted a big family (he wants 3 and I’m pushing for 4!), but we also knew we wanted to enjoy our time as a married couple for a little while. So literally the week after our honeymoon in January 2016, I decided to get an IUD. A quick side note on that experience – it was probably one of the most painful few minutes of my life, but it was well worth it – I loved the little-to-no side effects of the IUD (I got the Skyla 3-year) and the fact that my period eventually just went away. So flash forward to our 1 year anniversary a year later, and baby talk started to coming up in our conversations. We knew that the first half of 2017 would be jam-packed with travel and plans for weddings and opportunities from the blog, so we decided to revisit the idea later in the year. Our last wedding was in late July of 2017 and I had some blog travel planned for August, so in mid-September 2017 (after days of convincing myself that removing the IUD wouldn’t be as bad as the placement…thankfully, it wasn’t), I made the big appointment and got it removed. It just so happened to be just before me and Cole’s cruise to Alaska with Princess Cruises…

The (Not So) Long Wait…

Not gonna lie…I kind of expected for us to immediately get pregnant after I got my IUD out, despite my OBGYN’s insistence that it would take a few months after getting my IUD removed (patience isn’t exactly my forte, y’all). My OBGYN had insisted I start taking a prenatal vitamin and folic acid right away, so I ordered it up on Amazon after my appointment, and made it a part of my weekly regimen, so I was ready to go. After returning from our Alaskan cruise adventure, I wasted no time in popping over to Walgreens to buy some pregnancy tests (literally, the same night). I was disappointed to find that they were negative, but I kept testing a few days later. Eventually, good ole Aunt Flo came, so we were excited to start over and see what the next month’s cycle (October) might have in store.

This time around, my Googling got the best of me, and I caved on buying ovulation tests so I could track my cycle, which only seemed to further confuse and worry me. Several days before my expected period in October, I took a test and the faintest pink line popped up. I was SO excited, but waited to share news with Cole or anyone until I continued to test. Unfortunately, the next day, there was no longer a line when I tested. Although my Google research assured me that this was a very common thing when you test with early options like the First Response Early Result I used (it’s referred to as a chemical pregnancy, and happens in as many as 70% of preganancies, though most women never knew they were pregnant to begin with), but of course, my heart sunk. My wheels immediately began spinning about whether or not it was going to be so easy or even plausible for Cole and I to get pregnant. I quickly reminded myself of our OBGYN’s advice and that it had been a mere two months since we’d even started trying, and was hopeful for November.

How We Found Out

November came around and was as busy as always for both family holiday planning and for work, so I stayed occupied and tried to keep my mind off our not not-trying to get pregnant plans. I even enjoyed an amazing girl’s trip with my sister on a Western Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises (don’t worry y’all – I loaded up on the mosquito repellent everywhere we went). November is also the month that Cole turns part-time deer hunter and spends nearly every weekend (and several week days…his dad is his boss and also happens to be a hunter) at the deer lease. Between our separate travel plans and the madness of the holidays, I decided baby G #1 would likely have to wait until 2018. Nonetheless, on December 1st, just a couple of days before my expected period, I decided to take one of the extra pregnancy tests I had from the month before, juuust in case. Sure enough, two pink lines showed up, but it was still faint, so I decided to keep testing for several days afterwards to make sure this was it. The only soles I told at the time were Lucky and Lady (our two labradors), who jumped and danced around with me in the house as I shouted “we’re gonna have a baby!” over and over again. Sure enough, the line got darker and darker with each day, and as the date of my expected period came and went, I felt confident that it was actually happening. And I was SO excited I couldn’t stand it!!! Cole was gone on a 5-day hunting trip during the time, so I decided to wait until he returned to surprise him with the news in person (more on how I surprised him in a blog post to come!)

Though it only took us two and a half months to get pregnant, the experience made me realize what a huge, incredible BLESSING pregnancy and motherhood is, and how truly lucky Cole and I are (something I definitely had to remind myself of once or twice during the woes of the first trimester). Every baby is a miracle, and Cole and I couldn’t be more thankful for this most beautiful blessing He has bestowed.

“For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him.” 1 Samuel 1:27

So now onto the details. Here’s what we know so far about Baby G #1

How Far Along :

14 weeks, 2 days

Our Due Date:

August 13, 2018

A side note on this date, this is actually super special for Cole and I because it’s exactly 10 years after Cole took me on our first date (although I realize it is very unlikely he or she will be born on that exact date!)

Baby Size:

Baby is the size of a peach, about 3 1/2 inches long.

The Bump/Weight Gain:

FINALLY I kind of felt a little raise in my belly last week at week 13 (hooray!) I’ve gained around 5 pounds so far (I’ll spill the full details on my body changes, cravings, etc. on Friday’s bumpdate!)

He or She?

Cole and I went in to have the NIPT blood test that can also predict the gender last Wednesday, so the results should come this week, but we are waiting to find out until our little gender reveal party we’re having the weekend of February 24th – so stay tuned! Cole and I would obviously be SO happy with either a boy or a girl, we just pray for a healthy baby, but I’m about 90% certain it’s a boy. I’m not sure why, it’s just a feeling I’ve had from the start!! We’ll see if the little peanut proves me right orwrong very soon! 😉

Phew! That was a long one – sorry y’all! Thank you so much for letting me share this exciting time with you all and for listening to my ramblings about Baby G #1 so far (I’m already turning into one of those mama’s talking non-stop about my child, aren’t I?!) Stay tuned for my full first trimester bumpdate this Friday, and lots more pregnancy and baby posts to come! In the meantime, you can enter for a chance to WIN a Jon Hart backpack in the color and customization of your choice below (which also doubles as an amazing non-diaper bag AND carryon!) The contest will run through next Tuesday, February 20th. The winner will be announced later that week! Good luck friends!!

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30 Comment

Julie Marie C

February 13, 2018 at 10:14 pm

I am so so so excited for y’all! I’ve been following since your bachelorette to Disney – where you inspired mine! My advice for now is to enjoy every minute of your pregnancy! There are times when days may seem long but it all goes by so quickly. My little one will be 13 weeks tomorrow and there is no greater blessing <3 I’ll be keeping you in my prayers for an easy pregnancy and healthy Baby G!! Xoxoxo

Sheri Newell Anderson

Stephanie Phelps

February 14, 2018 at 10:09 am

My best advise is to take the help. Having a new one can be so exhausting. I mean it is the most joyous thing you will ever experience but it can be overwhelming when the grandparents want to watch them or siblings or your bestie let them even if it is while you take a nice bath!

Liz

Babette

February 14, 2018 at 11:26 am

My hubby and I have the Brady bunch. His two sons (in their 30s now, )my daughter 25 and married with our 1st grand baby, and we have boy/girl twins almost 18! Enjoy every single moment. The good, and not so good. Don’t always believe what the books say. Listen to your family and friends for advice. However, you’re this baby’s mama and daddy and in the end you will know what’s best for them!! You will love it!! 💕💕

Andrea Darst

Marina Bronikowski

February 14, 2018 at 1:43 pm

Yay and Congrats! I’m so excited for you and Cole! Extra yay because now we get to see fun baby post. 🙂 There are three main things I wish someone would have told me, or that I would have listened to. 1) Maybe it is the combo of hormones and very little sleep, but mentally prepare yourself to be overwhelmed. I thought I could go back to normal life (eating, work, house chores, etc.) with my new sidekick at 3 weeks. Haha, don’t attempt that! 2)Take the help that is offered to you. Again, the overwhelmed part… you will need help. 3) Enjoy every single high adrenaline and low sobbing moment that comes your way. Baby G will literally grow like a weed right before your eyes. -Marina & Wren-

Kim Pincombe-Cole

Amber Nol

February 14, 2018 at 11:28 pm

As a mom of 2 boys (6 & 4) my only advice would be to tolerate the noise! I say that because a when it gets to where kids are older & the house is silent you’re going to miss your loud & rambunctious little one!

Sweet Lauren! I’ve obviously never been a mom, but the best advice I can give you and Cole is to keep on joining together in prayer for your child! My mom miscarried before my older brother was born and the doctor said she would never be able to have kids. My parents joined together and took their broken hearts to the Lord and cried out, “God, we always knew children were a gift from you, but now we’re sure of it. If you decide to give us the gift of children, we promise to entrust their lives completely to you. They won’t be ours, but yours.” Each time my parents found out they were expecting, they remembered the promise and prayed to the Lord again saying, “Lord, we remember the promise. We entrust their lives completely to you.” My mom ended up giving birth to my older brother, me and my younger brother, even after my dad had leukemia when I was 2! 5 years later (when my mom was 40!) God brought my little brother into the world. I firmly believe the faithful prayers of my parents that began before we were even born and have continued each day of our lives are a huge reason why all 3 of us kids know Christ as our Savior and have been licensed to serve in the ministry of the gospel, when none of our extended family was serving in vocational ministry. I thank God for parents who trust him to care for us more than they can. It’s that trust that has enabled them to let us follow God around the world carrying the name of Jesus to people who have never known him. I could write forever and I already have, but yes, my advice is to never underestimate the power of your prayers, and keep on praying.

Katie

Adrienne

February 16, 2018 at 10:36 am

i don’t have any children yet but some good advice i heard was to make frequent flyer mile/reward accounts for you child when they’re young (if you fly a lot for vacations, etc.) so when they’re older they have lots of miles to play and travel around with.

Kiersten Jones

Melyssa

February 17, 2018 at 10:32 am

Lauren,

I am very happy for you, and I wish you and Cole all the best. The afternoon sickness and the saber pains will all be worth it come August when you have the desired result, a beautiful new baby. (You may want to find out the gender soon enough to know what color to paint the nursery. LOL)

How amazing! Huge congratulations!!! I’m only an aunt at this point, but based on how quickly all of my nephews have grown, I’d recommend that you enjoy every moment since it seems to fly by! Can’t wait for your gender reveal!

LAUREN VANDIVER GREEN

Hello, dollface! I’m Lauren, a twenty-something newlywed, fashion enthusiast and color addict, living in Dallas, Texas. With fashion at the heart of Vandi Fair, my primary focus is to share positive imagery and messaging that uplifts, brings joy, and ultimately inspires to be bold, fearless and fun in fashion everyday. I hope you can find something that inspires you here or that, at the very least, leaves you with a smile.
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